The S-Classes That I Raised

Yuhyun turned on the flashlight he brought, the one from the hotel. The surroundings brightened, revealing the familiar scene of the station.

"We don't have time to go far, so let's head to Seolleung."

Relying on the two flashlight beams, we passed through the ticket gate. Yerim, who had been slightly excited by the unfamiliar sight of a dark subway station, pointed at the wall with a "Hey!"

"Isn't that Han Yuhyun?"

She pointed to none other than Yuhyun's birthday advertisement. As expected, the letters were erased.

"It's here too. Seems like each place shows it at different times, but Gangnam looks like it's for Christmas Eve."

"So it's a birthday ad? Judging by the expression, it looks like an expensive commercial demanding seriousness."

The kid was a bit like that back then. Descending the stairs, the empty platform came into view.

"There's not much left until December. When do they start putting up birthday ads?"

"Why? Are you seriously going to put up a guild leader's ad?"

"No, there's no reason why not?"

I'm saying it because I want to. Yuhyun held out a mask, where he got it, I don't know.

"The air in the passage won't be good."

"Thanks. Is that the only one?"

"They're S-Ranks. It's fine."

That may be true, but I felt embarrassed trying to wear it with Yerim nearby. I glanced at Yerim just in case, but before I could speak, she declined, crossing her arms in an X.

"If you take pictures, it'll look like a real birthday ad."

"Me?"

"I want to take pictures with hyung."

"Huh? It's birthday photos."

"That's why I want you there. Can't I?"

"Well... I guess it wouldn't be a problem. If you want, of course."

It's a bit embarrassing, though. Yerim jumped onto the track, waving one arm.

"Then me too! I want both a group photo and an individual one!"

"Alright, alright. I'll do as much as you want. What about Noah?"

"Me? Uh, I don't want an ad, but I want photos with close friends. Lots of them."

"That's fine too."

Yuhyun helped me down onto the tracks. Director Song led, shining his flashlight into the dark tunnel. Although I had been through many things before regression, walking along the subway track was a first. It felt strange.

"How about Han Yujin?"

Seong Hyunjae, walking at the back, asked.

"Huh? Me?"

"February 7th, right after Manager Seok's birthday."

Manager Seok, could that be Seok Simyeong? How does Seong Hyunjae even know Seok Simyeong's birthday? I don't.

"I'm not really into ads..."

"Why not? You should put one up too!"

"Should I take the photo?"

"Yuhyun, do you know how to take such photos? It must be different from a phone camera."

"I'll learn."

Putting up an ad felt burdensome, but seeing the kids' expressions, I couldn't refuse. Yeah, I've been on broadcasts several times. What dignity do I have left now?

"My dear partner, I will personally take photos with my phone and enlarge them to hang giant balloons in front of the Sesung Guild."

They'll probably look a mess.

"It's an honor."

"Hyung, me too."

"Sir, me as well!"

"If it's okay, I'll ask too."

"...No, guys. Noah."

When I get home, maybe I should buy a good camera first.

"Director Song's birthday was earlier than Yerim and Noah's, right?"

"Later than Hyuna unnie. Hyuna unnie's is March 3rd!"

"I'm fine."

Answered before Director Song could ask. I want to erase the word 'fine' from Director Song's dictionary.

"Are government officials not allowed to put up birthday ads or something?"

"Not impossible."

Seong Hyunjae answered for him, then put on a regretful, apologetic expression.

"I was too neglectful of our Song Taewon. Next year I'll buy all the ads at Gwanghwamun Station to make sure to compensate well."

Director Song sighed deeply from his chest instead of replying. Honestly, it'd be nice to plaster ads of Director Song everywhere.

"Just one, please, just one. One is okay, right, Director?"

"...Yes. Thank you."

"Can't be helped. Then for Han Yujin—"

"I want one too."

Spoke plainly. Let's give and take one by one.

Not long after, we arrived at our destination. We left the tracks, climbed the stairs, and stopped at the underground first-floor concourse.

"The elder said the chance of losing consciousness is low, but keep in mind you might become someone else entirely."

This crescent moon in the dungeon was said to be a remnant disconnected from its original self. With such trace power, it would be hard to completely swallow the consciousness of someone with a high mental skill rating. Although its stats are F-rank.

"In fact, it might be easier if it has no consciousness. It won't be me."

If it thought it was me, it'd hesitate to attack violently. Especially with Yerim and Noah around.

"If it behaves completely like the crescent, gather as much info as you can."

I said, looking at Seong Hyunjae. In a way, this was an opportunity to learn about the crescent and the contract binding Seong Hyunjae.

"Don't go easy on it."

"...I'll try."

Seong Hyunjae replied reluctantly. After all, it's not even my real body.

"Everyone equip your gear. If you're low on mana, drink potions early. Yerim, are you really okay?"

"Don't worry!"

The answer was strong, but I still worried. It's still me after all. This сhаptеr's truе sоurсе is Мy Virtuаl Librаry Еmpirе (М|V|LЕМР-YR).

"Without shadows, it'll be hard to use low-level skills. Noah, you can't either?"

"No. I have to wait a long time."

Noah said regretfully. No, I wasn't worried about skills.

"It would've helped if you hadn't fought your sister."

"No. Noah said he won. He used the new skill well."

Noah, who met pre-regression Liet, fought and won against his sister with Yerim, gaining recognition. Despite dungeon buffs making him about SS-rank.

He got the skill from a title, and existing skills changed. I heard it from many ears and decided to talk about it later. It's better if I don't know now.

"Seong Hyunjae and Director Song, have you decided on a place?"

Both nodded simultaneously. We resumed walking. Only Director Song stayed behind as we approached the subway exit. Faint light seeped from the entrance at the top of the stairs. I took a deep breath.

"Then let's go."

I climbed the stairs. My legs worked hard today. Outside, the wide road spread out before me. I crossed the quiet street illegally and looked up at the sky. Moonlight streamed long between thick clouds.

The real moon was nowhere to be seen.

"Here, here!"

Is he deaf? No reaction yet. I climbed the streetlight and reached the top. Can't he see me? Do I have to get to the rooftop? The elevator probably won't work. Give me a break.

"Bright moon, bright moon~ The moon where Li Taibai played~"

Look here. Just because it's F-rank doesn't mean you can ignore me. Fortunately, soon moonlight rushed rapidly from afar, flooding the wide road like waves.

Jingling, jingling—

Countless tiny droplets rang out simultaneously, and moonlight covered my body.

The dim subway entrance brightened momentarily. It wasn't as if the sun had risen. Darkness still lingered, but the thick moonlight stretched down the stairs.

Then, as if pulled away, the light left the entrance, leaving only faint glow behind.

"...Did it work?"

Park Yerim whispered. Seong Hyunjae, who had been looking up at the subway entrance, stepped onto the stairs.

"Let's check."

"I'll go first. I have teleportation."

Park Yerim hurriedly climbed the stairs, skipping three or four steps at a time. Others followed.

"Sir!"

Park Yerim shouted as she came out of the subway station. The moonlight had faded a lot. It was dark enough that ordinary people would get lost even on familiar roads, but to S-rank hunter Park Yerim, this light was enough.

Looking around quickly, Yerim's gaze ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) stopped at a streetlight. Han Yujin stood there. Moonlight softly hovered around him.

"Sir, are you okay?"

"Hyung!"

"Yeah, Yuhyun."

A flirtatious answer came back. Han Yujin spread his arms slightly and spun atop the streetlight. His gaze, looking down on Han Yuhyun and Park Yerim, was slightly playful.

His silvery eyes curved in a circle.

"Surprisingly, it's still me. I was hoping even a little memory of the crescent moon would come in, but sadly, there's none."

"Hyung... you're really hyung, right?"

"Of course. My beloved little brother."

Han Yujin smiled brightly. Then—

Kwarurung!

Light flickered and a loud noise rang out. It was a signal to Song Taewon waiting nearby.

The crescent moon was aiming for none other than Song Taewon. So there was no reason to expose him to the crescent or Han Yujin. If the crescent's power fully settled in Han Yujin's body, the searching moonlight would disappear.

At that time, Song Taewon planned to move to another location without Han Yujin knowing. The only one who knew the new location was Seong Hyunjae. If stopping Han Yujin here became difficult, he would escape first, join Song Taewon, and avoid danger until dawn.

Though there were fast movers like Yunyun and Park Yerim, neither could use skills continuously for a long time while escorting someone.

"Surprised."

Han Yujin muttered without any sign of shock while watching the golden light jump up.

"Did Director Song really just leave? He looks fine."

"If he looks fine..."

Seong Hyunjae stepped forward, coat tails lightly swaying.

"How about forgetting Song Taewon and having a slow talk here until dawn?"

"I don't really have anything to say."

"That's disappointing. I have a lot to say."

"Ah, there are many complaints. This situation is all thanks to Seong Hyunjae."

Silver eyes smiled. Golden eyes faintly stiffened. Han Yujin's knees slightly bent, showing no sign of pain.

Clang!

The streetlight head broke off, bending down. Han Yujin kicked the bent streetlight in a ㄷ shape and instantly appeared in front of Seong Hyunjae. Seong Hyunjae raised his arm to defend, but Han Yujin's hand caught it.

Right in front, Han Yujin smiled even more deeply.

"My little moon."

At the low whisper, Seong Hyunjae furrowed his brows. He shook off the hand holding his arm, swung his long leg, and Han Yujin jumped up. Han Yujin's foot touched Seong Hyunjae's leg, and without resisting the rising force, Han Yujin's body spun through the air.

"You're sensitive~"

Han Yujin crossed the air widely and landed lightly on a streetlight pole like flat ground. He walked up the pole with light steps—tap, tap, tap—to the top.

"Sorry for blaming you, Seong Hyunjae. But I'm holding back too. I want to demand where Director Song is, but I don't want to do that."

"...Han Yujin is still Han Yujin."

"Yes, that's right~ That's the problem. Yuhyun."

Han Yuhyun flinched looking up at his brother.

"You should be on my side."

"...Hyung."

"Yeah? Yuhyun. My beloved little brother. Let's go find Director Song together."

"No. You said no."

"I'm your brother too. That's harsh. Oh, do you mean since there are two hyungs now, it's okay to throw one away?"

"Hyung!"

Han Yuhyun shouted in surprise.

"That can't be!"

"Sir, that was too much!"

"I have no one on my side. What about you, Noah?"

"...I can't side with Yujin right now either."

Han Yujin sighed.

"I know I shouldn't do this. But I don't think my stats reach SS-rank. And for skills, well, I need useful ones. Doubling attack skills doesn't help if there's nothing decent to apply them to."

Han Yujin spread his arms wide and shrugged.

"At this rate, we might be just talking nonsense until dawn."

"If it's not Han Yujin's true feelings, I can listen anytime."

"Hey, Seong Hyunjae. Do you want to see the kids crying? Are you sure your place is okay? Words can hurt people so much. A knife wound can be healed with a potion, but the heart has no medicine."

"I'm fine, so how about spending time alone?"

Clinking— golden chains wrapped around Seong Hyunjae's body.

"We went to the aquarium with the kids. It's nearby, so I'm asking for a date."

"I think there'll only be empty tanks."

"That's not bad either."

"You have a weird taste. What date? You look like you're going to drag me there by force. Trying to shove me into the tank again? Does becoming your fish mean a rise in status? Better than common F-rank, though?"

"I want to put a gag on your weird taste."

"Don't say that holding chains in front of the kids. Guys, don't listen. Don't hang out with adults like that. Stay away, stay away."

"So quietly follow."

Seong Hyunjae stepped forward. Han Yujin exaggeratedly shivered, saying he was scared.

"It's cold and I'm bad at swimming. So, Changeling."

Han Yujin extended one arm. Light clustered over it, and a small fairy dragon appeared.

"How long do you think you can keep using your power now?"

A satisfied smile appeared.